Ten Years Later, Family of Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr. Continues to Seek Justice as Homicide Remains Unsolved

A decade has passed since Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr. was fatally shot in Annapolis, yet his family continues to honor his life with love, faith, and hope while believing that justice can still be achieved.

Although ten years have passed, the investigation into Mr. Carroll's death remains an open homicide case, and no arrests have been announced. For the Carroll family, however, this anniversary is not only a time of remembrance but also a renewed expression of hope that one day answers will be found and justice will be served.

On July 28, 2016, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers with the Annapolis Police Department responded to Royal Street following reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a residential structure. Inside the vehicle was Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr., known to family and close friends as "Buddah" or "CJ," suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Mr. Carroll was laid to rest following a widely attended Celebration of Life service at First Christian Community Church in Annapolis on August 8, 2016, according to an obituary published by William Reese and Sons Mortuary.

While the investigation remains unresolved, documents previously obtained by Report Annapolis News indicate that investigators believed meaningful progress had been made in the case. In a letter dated May 26, 2025, addressed to Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess, former Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson wrote, "we both believe we know who killed him." 

The letter also stated that investigators had recovered the suspected murder weapon from an individual identified during the investigation and that evidence developed over the course of the case suggested a conspiracy surrounding Mr. Carroll's homicide. Additionally, the letter praised the department's Cold Case Investigative Team for developing new investigative leads after reexamining the evidence, noting that investigators found "nothing that would indicate the mistakes were insurmountable." The investigation remains active, and no criminal charges have been announced.

In Maryland, cold cases are unsolved criminal investigations that remain open and continue to be reviewed as new information, witness cooperation, advances in forensic technology, or other investigative developments emerge. These cases are often revisited by specialized investigators who reexamine existing evidence with the goal of advancing the investigation and, where appropriate, developing evidence that may ultimately support future prosecutorial action.

In an August 20, 2025, interview with Report Annapolis News, Ms. Beverly Reed, Mr. Carroll's mother, shared that one question has remained with her throughout the investigation.

"I just would like to know why there has been no charges filed against anyone in my son's case," Ms. Reed said.

As the tenth anniversary of his son's death arrived, Bishop Charles Edward Carroll Sr. reflected on the milestone in a social media post, acknowledging the City's recent achievement of one year without a homicide while reminding the community that many families continue to wait for justice.

"While the City is celebrating 1 year of no Homicides. Today is the Day that they killed my son in cold blood on Royal Street. Let us not forget that there are other families who aren't celebrating because the killers haven't been brought to Justice."

Bishop Carroll also reflected on the violence that affected Annapolis in 2016 and encouraged the community to continue confronting the causes of violence while standing beside families whose loved ones were taken far too soon.

As part of that message, Bishop Charles Edward Carroll Sr. announced a Call for Justice and Celebration of the Life of Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr., to be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. on Royal Street in Annapolis. According to the family, the gathering is intended not only to celebrate Mr. Carroll's life but also to unite families from across Anne Arundel County whose loved ones' homicide cases remain unsolved.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a printed photograph of their loved one to be added to a community memory board, creating a visible tribute to lives that continue to be remembered and cherished.

For the Carroll family, remembering Mr. Carroll means more than reflecting on the day he was taken. It means celebrating the life he lived, preserving his legacy, and continuing to believe that justice remains possible. Through faith, family, and community, they hope his story, and the stories of countless other victims of unsolved homicides, will inspire renewed awareness, renewed commitment, and renewed hope.

Ten years later, Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr.'s memory continues to live on in the hearts of those who loved him. His family remains steadfast in their belief that truth has value, that every victim deserves to be remembered, and that the pursuit of justice is always worth continuing. As they gather to celebrate his life this week, they invite the community not only to remember Mr. Carroll but also to stand alongside every family still waiting for answers.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information regarding the death of Charles Edward Carroll, Jr.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide of Mr. Charles Edward Carroll Jr. is encouraged to contact the Annapolis Police Department or the FBI.